October 31, 2007 EditionAlso in this issue...News | Sports Scene | Education | Viewpoints | Records |
Monsters and mannersLinda Lou MooreGuest Writer Monsters and Manners can peacefully coexist during Halloween. The Times Dispatch provides information concerning numerous activities during this time of year. Whether it's walking from house to house, a fall festival, a holiday carnival or a costume party; when saying "trick or treat" the accompanying words "please" and "thank you" can work wonders, as ghosts and goblins are filling their sacks with Halloween goodies. With the emphasis on "Boo" not "Boo Hoo," here are some quick tips to make sure the evening is safe and fun:
Do's for trick or treaters
Don'ts for trick or treaters
With all the excitement that Halloween brings there are more dangerous things than the curse from the three witches in Macbeth. According to Gina Hill of CNN, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta reported that the rate of children hit and killed by cars is approximately four times higher on Halloween night. The CDC also reported candy was the culprit for approximately 19 percent of all chocking related visits to the emergency room for children under 14 years of age. This happens all year round, but must be kept in mind during Halloween if children stuff themselves with treats after a good night of collecting their hauls. The American Academy of Pediatrics informs parents to throw away spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious treats. Since many parents voice safety concerns, costume parties have often replaced door-to-door trick or treating. Halloween costume parties are not only for children, but adults as well. Children's costumes are traditionally witches, ghosts, princesses, pirates, current cartoon characters or action heroes. Adults also favor traditional costumes along with dressing up as political figures, movie stars, famous or infamous characters or as popular sayings. Halloween is the second biggest shopping holiday for retailers, generating more than six billion dollars in sales. According to a survey by the International Mass Retail Association, approximately 82 percent of all Americans purchase games, decorations, candy and costumes for Halloween. Quote of the day: " When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween." Author Unknown. Linda Lou Moore is trained and certified by the Protocol School of Washington in Washington, D.C. She offers customized individual and group etiquette programs for children and teens and business etiquette programs for adults. She may be reached at Post Office Box 145, Paragould, 72451 or a manners@paragould.net.
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